Wizard Field beans

[veggiechicken]

I'm growing Wizard beans this year - and I'm impressed

Sold by Real Seeds Broad Bean Seed.

Sown on 16th January in modules.


Today -

Here are some I picked earlier:-



Only one plant had blackfly and I cut the top off and binned it. The others have been untouched by the little soandsos. All Broadies I've grown in previous years have been attacked by them so this year has been a bonus.

Real Seeds say its good for autumn sowing in October - I'd say its also good for January sowing
Wizard is on my must grow list for next year.

Does anyone else grow these?

[Snadger]

I always thought field beans were grown for the oils they produce? The bean equivalent of oil seed rape.

[veggiechicken]

Real Seeds say

'Wizard' Field Bean

Field beans are smaller more robust relatives of Broad Beans. The beans are about 1/2 the size of a normal broad bean, and the plants are full size, bearing huge numbers of pods with 3 or 4 seed packed closely together. The overall effect is usually a higher yield of beans from the same size plot.

'Wizard' is a modern pale-skinned variety which has been bred for table use and is very cold hardy, surviving over harsh winters when others die off.

It has particularly good flavour even when the seeds get mature, and does very well for everyone, cropping over a longer period than broad beans.

Tasty.Very hardy. Good for an autumn sowing in October.

[Snadger]

High yield,hardy and tasteful, what more could you want!

[lmayhow]

I sowed mine in October and have been having an amazing harvest, very scrummy salad today with Quiona, raddish, BB and avocado.....

Did a few plants with aphids not all but still good.

[Aunty Social]

How tall do they grow, VC? Very impressive pics, I must say. Wow.

[bario1]

I usually grow them, I might even have recommended them this year I managed to poison all mine with a contaminated watering can though. The best thing about them is the pods and beans don't grow big and floury, they sit on the plants until you need them (or rust strikes them down)

[Snoop Puss]

^^^That's worth knowing, Bario. I hate broad beans when they go floury. Will give them a go.

[veggiechicken]

How tall do they grow, VC? Very impressive pics, I must say. Wow.

They're about 4-5' tall. I've grown a single row against a wire fence with peas on the other side and courgettes in front of them. Squash and calendula in front of the peas. First time I've tried this - so far so good

[veggiechicken]

A little update. I've been leaving the pods to set seed for next year's sowing. The plants were looking tired and shading the squash beneath, so I decided to cut them down to ground, leaving the roots in situ.
FAILED!!
All the plants have new shoots, some with flowers and tiny beans - looks like they're going to carry on cropping
The severe haircut turned into a light trim!
I'm even more impressed with the Wizard now.

[veggiechicken]

I knew I'd had BB's regrowing before - and here's the proof!

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ial_74481.html

Seems to amaze me every year about this time

[Bex2012]

You lot are naughty... I dont need any more seed and now you've made me go buy more....

[veggiechicken]

.............but now that you've bought them, you'll never have to buy more

[Alison]

Liking the idea, think I may grow some next year, thanks

[Bex2012]

.............but now that you've bought them, you'll never have to buy more

Thats very true! Have to say I love Real Seed, I bought some yellow carrot seed from there, which i harvested today, and the carrots were delicious. The kids didn't believe me when I told them that carrots werent always orange.